Ecological sustainability

Environmental responsibility is a core value at m4music. Our goal is to make the festival more ecologically sustainable. Where emissions cannot be avoided, we aim to reduce them. For the remaining CO₂ emissions, we take responsibility and make a financial contribution to climate protection. This contribution goes to the Migros Climate Fund, which supports climate protection projects within the Migros Group and its supply chains. Sustainability is a process, and we aim to move step by step towards the goals we have set.

Measures already in place:

• Since 2021, the entire catering offer (food stands for the audience, staff and artist catering, aperitifs by partner organisations, etc.) has been exclusively vegetarian or vegan and is sourced as locally as possible. Vegan dishes make up 50% of the offer, and all hot meals in the backstage area are fully vegan.
• Beverages are sourced from local suppliers, and the producers are primarily based in Switzerland.
• Since 2024 (since 2025 in the backstage areas), we have been using a reusable system with a deposit scheme to conserve resources and reduce waste.
• Consistent waste separation with the most comprehensive recycling possible is implemented both in public areas and backstage.
• The booking team ensures that Swiss artists as well as international artists already on tour are booked, keeping travel distances as short as possible.
• All people involved in the festival are sensitised to the topic of travel and are encouraged, where possible, to choose climate-friendly transport options.
• During the last two editions, a survey on visitor travel behaviour was conducted. Over 90% already travel to the festival in a climate-friendly way, using public transport, bicycles or walking.
• Since 2021, we have done without a printed programme.
• We reduce our print volumes. The remaining printed materials are produced according to sustainable standards by certified printing companies in Switzerland.
• Since 2021, we have also done without the so-called «Conference Bag», meaning no bags with partner giveaways are distributed to professionals.
• Since 2022, we have been measuring our CO₂ emissions. Measurement methods are continuously improved and measures are adjusted accordingly.

Further goals:

• Our transport of goods and people currently relies on petrol-powered vehicles. We aim to identify alternatives and, wherever possible, combine and shorten routes.
• The number of overnight stays generated by the festival is relatively high. We aim to evaluate whether and where reductions are possible.
• We will continue to improve the collection of CO₂ emission data in order to implement further measures.

We remain committed! Do you have any feedback or suggestions? We welcome your input: nachhaltigkeit@m4music.ch